Russia deploys Oreshnik-armed brigade units to Belarus
Photo: Oreshnik rocket (Getty Images)
There are currently no signs that Belarus is preparing to enter the war against Ukraine, but Russia has deployed units of the 101st Missile Brigade, which is equipped with the Oreshnik missile system, on its territory, according to Oleh Ivashchenko, head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR).
Moscow continues to attempt to directly draw Minsk into the hostilities. Russia seeks to use the territory and military resources of its neighbor to expand the scope of the war against Ukraine.
Despite the efforts of the Russian leadership, Ukrainian intelligence currently sees no signs that Belarusian forces are prepared for an invasion. Therefore, the threat from the northern border remains minimal at this time.
Relay stations and Russian military
"However, we are concerned about Belarus being granted permission to deploy radio signal relay stations on its territory, which are used to guide Russian Shahed-type strike drones toward Ukrainian civilian targets and critical infrastructure," Ivashchenko notes.
He adds that units of the Russian Armed Forces' 101st Missile Brigade are already deployed in Belarus. The brigade is equipped with the Russian Oreshnik medium-range missile system.
Ivashchenko also emphasizes that even if Minsk did not grant permission for the deployment of these weapons, this is direct proof that the Belarusian authorities no longer control Russian activities on their own territory.
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stated that Russia could use Belarusian territory to escalate tensions and carry out provocations against NATO countries.
Furthermore, the Russian Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile now contains almost no foreign components. At the same time, many of its components are manufactured in Belarus.
